New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, March 10, 2018. PTI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, March 10, 2018.PTI

India and France inked key pacts in the sphere of strategic areas of security, nuclear energy as well as protection of classified information after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron at New Delhi.

Agreements in the field of education, environment, urban development and railways were also signed in the presence of the two leaders.

Addressing a joint media event with Macron, Prime Minister Modi said that the two countries have robust cooperation in the fields of defence and security.

On his part, Macron said India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation. Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance, the French President said.

Both the leaders also talked about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Earlier on Saturday, the French President and his wife Briggite Macron, who arrived here last night, was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

“Another chapter in the glorious book of our friendship! PM Narendra Modi welcomes President of France Emmanuel Macron at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ahead of the bilateral talks,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

Macron is in India on a four-day visit. He was received at the airport last night by Prime Minister Modi, in a special gesture.